The Early Literacy and Learning Model Plus (ELLM/Plus), a comprehension, research-based curriculum for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children, is designed to support the development of children’s literacy skills and content knowledge. It focuses on expanding children’s working vocabularies and broadening their conceptual development in order to create a solid foundation of knowledge across the curriculum. Explicit, whole group instruction in each of the content areas is reinforced and extended through practice in teacher-led small group activities and practice and independent use at the learning centers. Rituals and routines promote creativity, persistence, and

Professional Development

The ELLM/Plus Professional Development Plan includes an array of complementary training opportunities for teachers, assistants, and directors/site-based administrators.

Initially, FIE will conduct telephone interviews with each center director selecting the ELLM/Plus curriculum to identify perceived needs and expected outcomes. Results will be used to guide in the initial and ongoing professional development.

The ELLM/Plus Professional Development Plan includes an array of complementary training opportunities for teachers, assistants, and directors/site-based administrators.

A three-day (six hours each day) ELLM/Plus intensive training, designed to help participants with the ELLM/Plus instructional tools, protocols, and strategies needed for effective implementation, will help participants connect research findings to instructional strategies, link training activities to daily planning and practice, and ultimately create a culture of learning for themselves and their children. Through hands-on, interactive activities, participants will learn how to use key language and literacy strategies that, if used everyday throughout the day, will help children acquire important literacy and language skills. Participants will have many opportunities to observe model lessons, practice using instructional strategies, and receive feedback on their performance.

Building Background Knowledge and Vocabulary (Modeling Complex Language, Instructional and Social Conversations, Use of Word Wall)

Setting Up and Using Learning Centers

Implementing Explicit Content Domain

Initial Professional Development for Directors/Site-based Administrators Site-based administrators will participate with their teachers and assistants in the initial and intensive three-day intensive ELLM/Plus training. Specific sessions for directors only will focus on increasing their capacity to support teachers as they build instructional proficiency. Directors will participate in a specially designed fourth day of training focused on building on their capacity to use tools to monitor and strengthen curriculum implementation, lead on-site implementation team meetings, and mentor teachers on an ongoing basis.

The ELLM/Plus Professional Development Plan includes an array of complementary training opportunities for teachers, assistants, and directors/site-based administrators.

The ELLM/Plus webinars build on Initial Professional Development offered to teachers, assistants, and directors. FIE will host four interactive webinars that help participants analyze instructional practice, extend their knowledge, share successes, and ask for help. Participants’ knowledge will be deepened as they learn and talk about implementation, ask and have answered their questions, and consult with others about implementation challenges.

The ELLM/Plus Professional Development Plan includes an array of complementary training opportunities for teachers, assistants, and directors/site-based administrators.

FIE staff will be available to teachers, assistants, and directors through email and telephone to answer implementation questions, address site-based needs, assist in planning monthly implementation meetings, and suggest additional resources or support.

The 3-day initial and intensive professional development for teachers and assistants and the 3-day+1day initial and intensive professional development for directors/site-based administrators will be held in Jacksonville, Florida. Each Low-Performing Provider ELLM/Plus curriculum purchase includes three coupons for admission to the initial and intensive professional development training.

Costs

This cost, in effect for the 2010-2011 academic year, includes curriculum materials and professional development as outlined in this document. Nonexempt providers must pay 7% Florida sales tax as required by law.

Initial Professional Development Training (3 days for teachers and assistants and 3 days + 1 day for directors/site-based administrators) held outside of Jacksonville requires an added fee for travel expenses based on location and number of participating sites.